Microsoft Specialist: Microsoft Azure Certification Facts

Microsoft is a technology-based American Corporation whose “mission and values are to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential.” In their quest to help people and businesses, Microsoft has introduced courses and certifications that ensure a well-equipped human resource in as far as Information Technology is concerned. One of the courses and certifications is Microsoft Specialist:Microsoft Azure that is designed to produce individuals who are experts in designing and implementation of both hybrid and public cloud solutions.

In-line with their mission, Microsoft provides training and other resources that candidates require to pass their Azure exams. The training can be instructor-led, online or self-paced. The other useful resources for exam preparation are Microsoft practice tests and exam reference books published by Microsoft Press.

Attaining a Microsoft Azure certification requires that a candidate sits for and passes any of the following specialist exams:

70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

Introduced in September 1, 2014, Exam 70-532 leads to a MCP, MCSA, MCSE, or MCSD certification.

70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

Exam 70-533 was introduced in September 4, 2014, and it leads to the award of a MCP, MCSA or MCSE certification.

70-535: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

Exam 70-535 replaced Exam 70-534 in November 30, 2017, and it leads to the awarding of a MCP, MCSA, MCSE or MCSD certification.

It was introduced in January 31, 2018, and leads to a MCP, MCSA or MCSE certification.

70-774: Perform Cloud Data Science with Azure Machine Learning

This exam was published in February 14, 2017 and leads to a MCP, MCSA or MCSE certification.

70-775: Perform Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure HDInsight

It was introduced in February 22, 2017 and leads to a MCP, MCSA or MCSE certification.

70-776: Engineering Data with Microsoft Cloud Services

This exam was published in July 5, 2017 and leads to the award of a MCP or MCSA certification.

The exams test the learner’s skills in designing and implementation of Azure apps and infrastructure, and cloud security as well as recovery measures. The learner should prove their readiness in providing solutions such as flexibility in data storage and costs. Cloud storage solutions are considered safer and more affordable compared to the on-premise data solutions. Majority of both small and large scale businesses around the world are now embracing this data storage option more than ever before. This has made the Azure exams and certifications so popular today.

Microsoft does not publish the nature of their exams, but they are mostly 40-60 questions in total. The questions are mostly multiple-choice, drag-and-drop and simulations. A duration of 2 hours is normally given for the completion of the exam. The passing score is usually 700/1000. Any of these exams costs $165. Before sitting for a Microsoft exam, you must register and book your exam with PearsonVUE, Microsoft exam testing center. There are no recertification requirements for any of these certifications because Microsoft certifications never expire.

Passing an Azure exam and attaining a certification opens doors to job opportunities such as cloud administrator, information security analyst, cloud architect and system support specialist.

Microsoft, undoubtedly, has continued to be a leader in providing skilled manpower to the market that so much requires it. With its Azure based solutions, it has enabled people and businesses all over the world to meet their data storage needs in a flexible and affordable manner.